Medical applicator



May 18 192.6.

. 4 w. E. MONTGOMERY MEDICAL APPLICATOR Filed Oct. 13, 1923 P. Sheets-5h96?l l May 18 1926.

Filed oct. 15, 19'25 Sheets-.Sheet 2 @will Patented May 18, 1926.

W'ILLAM E. MONTGOMERY, OF LA JUNTA, COLORADO.

MEDICAL APPLICATOR.

Application led October 13, i923. Serial No. 668,324.

This invention relates to improvements in rlfhe primary object of this invention isA the provision of a novel type of medical applicator having improved means for supporting it upon a persons body during treatment.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an applicator of the above men tioned character, preferably in the form of an electrode, having vacuum means cooperating therewith to facilitate its retention upon a persons body during treatment.

A 'further object of this invention is the provision of an applicator of the above mentioned character embodying vacuum means to facilitate the retention of the applicator upon the body during treatment, without li-l ability of causing pain or undesirable results incident to action of the vacuum.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an electrode of the above mentioned character which has means therein for supporting a liquid, such as an antiseptic, aneesthetic, or the like, against that part of the anatomy with which the applicator is in Contact.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an electrode device of the above mentioned character having means cooperating therewith to most effectively permit the retention of the device upon a persons anatomy by means of a vacuum, and so that an electrical current may be conveyed over a relatively large area of the anatomy with which the applicator is in contact.

@ther objects and advantages of this invention will'be apparent during the course oilAV the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved applicator, showing certain novel structural details thereof.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of the im-` proved applicator, showing the same in cross section. to disclose novel structural features thereof.

p Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken through a modiiied form of applicator, 'showing novel. details thereof.

Figure t is a plan view of a further modi lied form of improved applicator.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure A.'

Figure G is a cross sectional view taken 'through a fourth form of the applicator, showing novel features thereof.

Figure 7 is a face view of the applicator illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is an inside plan view of the pad construction of the applicator, showmg more particularly the means by which a novel protecting sanitaryk cloth 'may be supported thereabout.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view showing one means by which a vacuum may be created in the applicator to effect its support upon a persons anatomy. ln the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown several forms which the invention may assume,-the letter A may generally designate a. form of the invention used for relatively small electrodes or applicators; B an economical form of applicator; C a third form of applicator; and D a fourth form of applicator.

Each ofthe applicators, A, B, C and l) may include a supporting casing 10; pad arrangement 11 for cooperation therewith; and means E to form a vacuum in the casing 10.

Referring to the form of invention A, the casing 10 thereof may preferably include the head portion 12, which is preferably of metal, although it may be of insulating material, and which is centrally provided with an opening 15 therein which communicates with a chamber 16 formed inwardly of the forward face of the head or disc 12. A substantially .l-shaped tube 17 may'lead rearwardly, having a passageway 19 therein which communicates with the opening 15; the tube'i being, of course, disposed 4on the opposite side of the head 12 from that in which the chamber 16 isv formed. An attaching ring 2O is preferably threadably connected exterior to the head 12, providing an inwardly extending annular flange 21 which is adapted to overlie the chambered face of the head 12 to retain the pad arrangement 11 in place.

The pad arrangement 11 may include an absorbentand porous portion 23, of wool, fabric,vasbestos, or other material, and an outer forarninous Screen 24:; the screen 24.

(lil

and absorbent portion D?) being clamped in place acrose; the chamber iti ot' the electrode head l2 b 'y ineens o'l the attaching' ring 20, :o that a Well dened pocket, or chamber is provided rearwardly o'l: the pad l1.

lt' the supporting' casing' l() is formed of inet-al a terminal "25 may be connected thereto, as to the tube l'i", to ivliicn an electric coiiductilijf rire Ql'i iiiiij.' bc suitiili'ly c auxped. lt `will be vvcll underviooffl by those skilled in the arty to ivl Ich this invention relates that the applicator is, in fact, one electrode l'or Ln electric current, which is to be applied on Sonie part of a peri'soifs anatomy Ator the trefrtnient o l an' alllict-ion. The other electrode `tor the person' inni* :issunie various shapes, such as a similari formed applicator, or it may be a receptzicli.: having;- water therein; it being' iunlerstood that. the applicator A is either the positive or negative electrode.

Referringl to the nien-ns l tor creation o t a vacuum Within the, chzniiber ltii, the saine may be of any type ol" construction .vhich will creati a vacuum. The inost economical form of construction will be that of providing an air exhausting bulb 2T, oit' rubber, or like collapsible material, which has a rubber or flexible 28 connected therewith and with the tube l? of the applicator A. The device A when to be used is placed upon the pat-ients atllieted body,-v or member, at the desired place', the air being partially exhausted from the chamber 16 by collapsing of said bulb to allow it to ent-er the bulb is the att-aching ring' Q0 of the casing l0 is in snug engagement with the flesh of the patient, a vacuum created in the chamber 16, which is sutlieient to hold the applicator on the patient at the desired location.

The function of the screen 2l is threefold. In the first place it avoids ncessiife pains in the atllicted part ot' the patient by prevent-ing the drawing of the shin and flesh of the patient into the casing' l0', can readily be understood. In the second place, it has been found by experiment that the screen El is probably the only' means which will permit the holding of the applicator in position with a partial vacuu-in in the chamber or pocket 16;, probably because the flesh of the patient is not dran-'n huit. about the edge ot the attachingv ring 2t, :is the tlesli is prevented by the tightly stretched screen 2l troni beingr drawn into :i uniss within the easingl l0; ln the next place the screen 2l a conductor of electricity, and in this respect may cooperate as a part of the elect ede indistributing the current over the entire' tace area of the electrode, so that the entire portion of the persone anatomy to which the electrode is app-lied may be beneilficialliv treated.

The pad portion 2.1-, which is absorbent, is

used to support a liquid to render :":iiiie a conductor olf electricity. the lio iil may Yury, according to the type olt iilllicion to bey treated, and muy be .rai'cr. copper sulphate, cocaine, siilicjilic acid, or the like. The liquid supported in the absorbent poi'- tion 223 may most gglenerulliv lic :in antiseptic, or a pain zillayinij liquidr` siii-li :is cocaine. ".Vhcre direct current i. being' ined. und it is desired to apply :i negative electrode to ilic patient', thc. cloth ifi will have to be used, it.' it is desired to support au :intis `ptic liquid thereon. Hoiverer, in connection with the positive electroilc Where direct current is use-d, it is not necessary lo suik'iliil \Y an :intis'iptic substance. :is lie positive electrodo, hits un antiseptic influence in connection with the application. lfhere. lii'isfefcr, :flcriiriting` current is used itl necessari.' lo support au :intiselitic iii the ulii-oi'lieii1 portion 233, as neither ol the electrodes where isiiih current used nill lizirc thc antiseptic cllici't nboi'c not xil.

Referring;` to the vl'oriii ll ol" this invention. the casing;` lll thereof pi'cl'enilalj,v uubule.N ihe stamped metal portion fill. which prorides` the chi'iinlier ll therein. and has. c! trall)7 attached to die top thin-cot i* lube 32, defining a passageway l-i which coniinunicates with the chzuiiber Il, and to which tube the portion 2S of the r num creatingl means E may be attached substantially as is illustrated in Figc'wzi o the drawings. The casing lO is pigriablbvv of metal, and may have a terininel sierenv exteriorly attached thereto for the connection ot a conducting Wire 35 thereto, rEhe outer face of the casing l() proridcs :in annular seat 3G, Within which the pad ll may be disposed. pad supporting plate 3.3 ma;v be carried vi'ithin the chamber 3l ot' the casing l0, upon an annular .seat il? just inirardl)v ot the scat 36; said supporting' member preteral'ilj,Y havin;r openings lfi therethrough so that the vzicuiuii may through the pad l1. This supporting' or member 3.5 may be consti-urteil o." i'ziix board or the like, and n'niintzun:-1 iie iiiiil i in a deiinite plane against sliding` into the chan'iber 3l during :1n application ot electrode B. The pad ll ot die lovin il of invention preierzibl'yv includes tli pei poeed lai-'ers ot 'l'uliiric or cloth l-fl. and this outer line iiicsh coppe." #creen Elfvvhiih if; tautly .stretched over (he exp-:fwd i'firi ol' the pad ll, r uch in thc .saune nruziic as, the screen 2l t'or ilic l'orui o' iii'i'ciiioii .uhm-c described, and which cooperate.`4 in 'ilic infin ner :ihore set 'forth d the electrode li.

Referring to the 'torni ot electrode ii", casing` portion l() thereof is prt-i'eialiiji' polygonal in plan vien'. This ciising lil iiicludes the top plate l5, ix'ith the uc-iieiirlin; outer side walls lo. The top wall Al5 also eup- Fll the

ports the depending inner walls ai', which are arranged parallel to and in spaced relation Wit-h the outer Walls 46, to provide a peripheral chamber or pocket i8 extending above the margin of the casing, l0; this pocket or chamber 48 being open on the lower face of the casing l and over which a screen 50 is disposed at the attaching side of the casing l0. A tubular extension i communicates through an outer ivall 46 of the casing` 10, and to which the tube 28 of the vacuum crea-ting` means l) may be attached to enable the formation of a vacuum in the peripheral groove or chamber 48. lf he compartment or pocket 53 deiined between the inner Walls 17, is adapted to receive the pad l1, which may be of the formation above described for the forms A and E of this invention, although there is no outer screen covering for the pad 1l. A terminal binding member 55 may be carried by the top vfall a5 of the casing 10, for the attachment of a conductor 5G to the casing l0.

rThe form D of this invention embodies somewhat of a novel principle, as the casing` lO thereof is preferably of insulating material, and defines a chamber or pocket 57 Within Which the vacuum is created. A. lateral extension 58 projects from the head 59 of the casing' 10, to which the tubular portion 2S of the vacuum creating means E may be attached to permit vacuum formation Within the pocket 57. The pad arrangement 11 is adapted to seat in the enlarged portion of the pocket 57, in engagement with the annular Walls 60 of the casing 10.

Referring to the construction of the pad l1 as utilized With the form D of the invention, the same may include a circumferential. supporting' ring` 61, of copper or analogous material, to one outer marginal edge of which is secured the fine mesh screen The fabric or absorbent portion of the pad l1 is adapted to rest Within the ring 6l upon the screen 62. A terminal binding post is preferably supported by the insulation casing l0, in attachment with a conducting stripl 66 located Within the pocket or chamber 57 g said conducting` strip 66 leading over the inner surface of the casing Walls 60 to contact with the metal ring 6l, so that the current may flow through the tine mesh screen 62.

ln connection with the pad 1l., a sanitary cloth covering 70 may be used, which has been shown as applied to the pad 11. of the form of invention D. This cloth 70 is adapted for disposal over the face of the screen G2, having attaching strips 71 connected at the marginal edges thereof, which extend over the back or inside surface of the pad 1l, and may be secured to a connecting member 72 upon the inside surface of the pad 11; the member 'TQ having prongs 73 thereon for the purpose of vconnection of the free ends of the strips Tl thereto, substantially as is illustrated in Figures 5 and S of the drawings. lt is to be understood that this sanitary covering 70 may be considered as a generic feature of this invention, as the applic-ation of the same may be made to all forms of electrodes herein described.

F rom the foregoing` description of this invention it is apparent that an improved electrode has been provided, principally embodying a novel means for the effective attachment to a patient to properly support the same in position during treatment. As treatments in many instances extend over considerable periods of time it is obvious that the maintenance of the electrode on the patient by means of a vacuum created therein is an important feature, as it permits the operator to direct his lattention elsewhere. lt is of course understood that the operation and advantages resulting from this invention as above described for the form A. of the invention are applicable to all forms of the invention.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the forms of invention herein shown and described, ivithout departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

l cla-im:

l. In an applicator the combination of a casing having a pocket opening` outwardly, a porous pad fixedly mounted entirely across the mouth of said pocket, and means for forming a vacuum Within said pocket behind said pad.

2. In a device of the class described the combination of a casing having a pocket therein opening, at a side of said casing, a pad placed across the mouth of said pocket, a line mesh conductor screen carried by the casing at the outer side of and across said pad, and means for creatinga suction Within the pocket of said casing at the inner side of said pad.

3. In an applicator of the class described the combination of a casingformed of insulating material having a pocket therein, a conductor screen mounted across the mouth of said pocket of said casing, means for creating a suction Within the pocket, and means in connection with said screen for conduction of electrical current thereinto.

4. ln an applicator of the class described the combination of a casing` formed of insulating material having` a pocket therein, a conductor screen mounted across the mouth of said pocket of said casing, means for creating a suction Within the pocket, metallic connection from an external conductor to said screen for conduction of electrical current thereinto, and an absorbent pad carried Within the pocket behind said screen.

5. In a device of the class described the velnbnntm'l of n` @ming having n elmmbel' rhereinj means fm" eren-fing a. Suction Within the ehalnberf :z pax-d lne-uned Within the ea5- ing across the month of said chamber, and

5 a sanitary Covering dachably carri-ed by Sil-id pad.

6. In a, device of the dass described the Conlbllzltion rif f1 Slipper( ing: men'lbel having n, pocket therein, means for creating :l vnfuuln Within (ghe pocket, and :l rigid sel-een mounted over the. mouth oi said pocket to prevent the skin of the patient being drawn into the pocket.

WILLIAM E. MONTGOMERY. 

